A host of free events and activities will take place across Bournemouth and Poole as part of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s Festival of Learning.
From walking tours to new plays and photography exhibitions, there will be the chance to have fun and learn something new during the Festival’s off-campus day, which runs on Sunday 26 June.
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Life by the river: past and present, run by ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ academics in association with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Bournemouth Borough Council, will explore the history of life by the River Stour.
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Running from 11am-3pm, a guided walk will help people discover the secrets behind the surrounding landscapes and there will be activities linked to spending time by the river that previous generations have enjoyed.
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Organiser Holly Crossen-White said: “Our Lumps and Bumps walk will help visitors understand what the features on the present landscape reveal about the history of the area.
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“There will be opportunities to try traditional craft activities including using an ancient technique known as cob-building, a method that was used to construct many of the first homes within this area.
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“It will be messy fun and we hope to build a wildlife sculpture for future visitors to enjoy.â€
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ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥â€™s Fresher Publishing and Doppelganger Dialogues will showcase two new plays from winners of the Fresher Playwriting Prize at the Shelley Theatre in Boscombe from 4pm – 7pm.
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John Foster, Artistic Director of Doppelganger Productions, said: “The plays are staged as script-in-hand rehearsed readings and will be followed by Q&As with the writers, directors and actors, and the chance to feedback on the plays.â€
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Events will also take place at locations across Bournemouth and Poole.
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A photography exhibition in The Kitchen at Poole Park will showcase award-winning images of algae, while a range of drop-in events will run throughout the day in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens, with activities for all the family to enjoy.
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There will be the chance to find out more about how soils and microbes shape our world through a range of interactive activities, alongside the opportunity to share your stories and experiences of education and visiting the seaside.
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People will also be able to learn about the positive impact of controlled breathing on blood pressure and heart rate, and test the ‘Six Pillars of Functional Fitness’ – including strength, mobility and balance.
Festival Director Genna West said: ‘We’re looking forward to taking some of our exciting Festival events off campus, with a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy.
“From drop-in activities in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens to a guided walk along the River Stour, we hope that people will come along, get involved and have fun learning something new – while finding out about a whole range of interesting research taking place at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥.â€
The Festival of Learning runs from Saturday 25 – Wednesday 29 June, with around 100 free events and activities open to the public.
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This year’s Festival of Learning also incorporates a global audience, with simultaneous events taking place in China and Malaysia in an international celebration of learning.
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For more information, and to book onto the events, visit the Ìýor pick up a brochure from your local library.